Come Out of the Tomb

Today's Gospel tells of Jesus' raising his friend Lazarus from the tomb. Blessed James Alberione wrote a prayer that compares sin and the alienation it causes to a tomb. Here he writes: "O Jesus Good Shepherd, turn your gaze on the many 'lost sheep.' Their souls are in a spiritual tomb. They need to be 'born again,' given a new life of grace. There are many sinners, many spiritual cemeteries around us. May Jesus' voice resound in their ears:

'Lazarus, Come out of your tomb of sin!' May these souls rise to a new life of grace in Christ. Thereby they will give consolation to the church and to all their brothers and sisters in Christ." (Adapted from Brevi Meditazioni, Giacomo Alberione)

Another way of looking and praying with this Gospel is to see how Jesus experienced grief and even anger at death. Sin brought death into our human experience. Father Scott Hurd, a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington, and author of books from Pauline Books & Media applies the teaching of this powerful Gospel to those who grieve at the loss of loved ones. http://fatherscotthurd.blogspot.com/2014/04/fifth-sunday-of-lent.html

Are You a Modern Day Lazarus?

The Fifth Sunday of Lent offers us the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Chapter 11 of St. John's Gospel details the account of the death of Lazarus, and the mourning of his two sisters, Martha and Mary. I always admire Martha, the hard working lady of the house. Jesus tells her:

"I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

Martha replied,

"Yes, Lord, I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world."

Martha made a profound statement of faith. Even though she mourned the death of her brother, Lazarus, she clearly and firmly believed in the power of Jesus. When Martha's sister Mary showed up at the tomb, weeping. Stirred by his own strong emotions, Jesus too wept. As the evangelist John wrote: "He became deeply troubled." Jesus went to the tomb. Martha warned him that Lazarus' dead body would be giving off a stench, since it had lain in the tomb for four days. Jesus prayed aloud to the heavenly Father.

"Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd Here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me."

And when he had said this, he cried out in a loud voice,

"Lazarus come out!"

The dead man came out, tied hands and foot with burial bands....So Jesus said to them,

"Untie him and let him go."

Jesus restored Lazarus to his earthly life. Blessed James Alberione affirms that there are people who are "walking dead" or veritable cemeteries, because their souls are starved of grace. Their inner lives are bereft of the light of God because they have refused to accept the call to repentance, to conversion, to true love of God through Jesus. In the Catholic Church we know that Christ forgives all our sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation or, as we say in everyday language, confession. Sin is cancer of the soul. Jesus is our Healer ready to clear out the wound of sin. He is waiting to tell our soul to "come out of the tomb of sin, of spiritual darkness, of an ego turned in on itself. He tells us to come out of the tomb off brooding over the festering hurts of offenses done to us; or, of sins we have committed and never admitted to God or to ourselves that we were at fault." Lately Pope Francis preached on the need to confess our sins and to receive pardon through the absolution offered in the Sacrament. Before hundreds of people, he himself knelt to confess his sins at one of the many confessionals in St. Peter's Basilica. I pray for all those who have been away for years from the healing power of the confessional. Some of us go face-to-face. If you can't kneel it is more convenient to sit and tell the priest. Sitting, standing, kneeling or on a sick bed, Jesus is ready to tell the Lazarus within us, to the sin within us, to "come out of him", "leave her." As we begin this time closer to Easter, we want to experience our own personal rising from the death of sin, to the new life that only Christ Jesus can give us. In many parishes throughout the USA, there is an effort to make confession more available by offering it on Wednesday evenings. Check your local parish's website to see of they are part of "The Light Is On For You" practice; or, you can check when confession is available. When you are really hungry, you can't wait to bite into a good steak, a hamburger, or a dish of ice cream. You don't wait a month, or a year or more. As we feed our bodies, we need to nourish our souls. Confession or Reconciliation serves as not only a "clean up" service for our souls, but an infusion of grace, the divine energy that only comes from the Holy Spirit. Have a blessed Sunday. There are three titles, each one concise, that can help you prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation: Basic Helps to Confession; Why Go to Confession by Bruno Forte; and for young people: The Sacrament of Reconciliation in My Pocket.

The above titles are available from www.pauline.org

The "Real" Gift

Today I attended the funeral of a gentleman from our parish who was married for 66 years. His dear wife was escorted into St. Thomas church immediately behind her husband's coffin. It was a happy and sad occasion. One's earthly life was completed. Victor's eternal life had just begun. After Communion a grandson delivered the eulogy. He described his granddad as the ideal dad. He was a faithful Catholic. He belonged to the Holy Name Society which made him stand out as a fervent Catholic. He was faithful to his job as a mail carrier, faithful to his wife and his 5 children. Like St. Joseph, Victor was more of a "do-er than a speaker." After 66 years of marriage Victor went to his eternal reward. There were plenty of tears shed by his children and grandchildren. Amid the sorrow there was also a quiet hope. "Life is changed, not taken away" is one of the liturgy's comments on death. Among the relatives and friends joy radiated from a newly-wed couple, and the promise of new life evident in two of the expectant grandchildren. In both the homily and the eulogy those of us who were not close family learned a lot about the deceased Victor. He was a man of few words, but of an abundance of good works. He worked as a postal mail carrier--a hard but steady job. What a witness to true love for his family, devotion to his hometown, to the Boston Red Sox, to his heritage as the son of Italian immigrants. It seemed appropriate that today, Pope Francis addressed his Wednesday audience to newly married couples. Pope Francis told those young people beginning new lives together:

“When a man and a woman celebrate the sacrament of marriage, God, so to speak, is ‘mirrored’ in them, He marks them with His features and the indelible character of His love.” Even God “is a communion of the three persons of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who live forever and are forever in perfect unity. And this is the mystery of marriage: God makes one existence of the two spouses — the Bible says ‘one flesh’ — in the image of His love, in a communion which draws its origin and its strength from God.” The Pope then asked those husbands and wives present if they are aware of this “great gift” that the Lord has given them: “The real ‘wedding gift’ is this: Your marriage is a reflection of the Holy Trinity, and with the grace of Christ, you are a living and credible icon God and His love.”

“The plan that is inherent in the Sacrament of Marriage is truly wonderful! It takes place in the simplicity and also the fragility of the human condition. We know the many trials and difficulties that the lives of a married couple encounter... The important thing is to keep alive the link with God, which is the basis of the marital bond.”

For those who prepare couples for a Catholic marriage, the Daughters of St. Paul have published "Transformed in Love" a thoroughly Catholic marriage preparation program. To find out more about this very helpful title, check out its website: www.transformedinlove.com.

Pick It Up

The gospel selection for this day in Lent tells us about a healing Jesus performed on a Sabbath. He met a man, apparently crippled, who had lain next to the pool at Bethsaida for 38 years. It was said that an angel would at times come down to stir the water. When that happened the first to arrive in the pool was cured. The man lamented that he could never make it. Someone always got their before him. Jesus asked the man: "Do you want to be well?" Instead of answering yes right away, the man told his story. Jesus' reply was this, "Rise, take up your mat, and walk." If we want to be well, we cannot remain motionless. Jesus told the man to get up and pick up his bedroll. In Lent, when we feel called to do a good deed, or to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation we cannot remain motionless. We must allow the Holy Spirit to permeate us, to let his strength move us to repentance, to good deeds, to a deeper life of prayer. If someone has the grace to return to confession/the Sacrament of Reconciliation, even after a long separation from it, he or she can feel like she is walking on a cloud. "Take up your mat" can mean put more effort into your daily routine. If a pedestrian steps into your path and you have to brake suddenly, say a quick Hail Mary. When you may feel cranky due to a late night project, resist the temptation to snarl at one whose ways annoy you. Pause a moment and ask Jesus to help you to show his gentleness and patience, instead of your rudeness. Jesus faded into the crowd immediately after he cured the man with the mat. Afterwards Jesus found him and said, "Look, you are well; do not sin any more...." One commentator wrote about this man: "He never takes hold of the life that Jesus has restored to him" (Vatican II Missal)

I wonder if that man who was cured later found a good job. He probably entered a whole new lifestyle: no more begging or sitting next to a pool. Did he follow Jesus? What would I have done? Jesus offers me life every day. Do I take hold of what he offers me? These thistles seem to me to epitomize the harshness of penance. So the thorns too remind us of Jesus bearing a crown of thorns. "Seize the day"--seize the moments of grace Jesus send you!

Laetare Sunday Rejoice

I don't know about you, but I have mixed feelings about Laetare Sunday, or Rejoice Sunday. A part of me says, "Be happy. The end of Lent is getting near! Another part, way down deep says, "Too bad! Time has gone so fast. I barely realized it was Lent." I just checked with my desk calendar. Easter is only three weeks away. The only time I and you have is now. So let's make the best of it.

Did you resolve to do or to avoid something for Lent: a food, an activity, a place? Why not dust off the excuses and start again. God looks at our efforts. As Mother Teresa said, probably hundreds of times, God does not ask success from us, but the effort to do good. As St. Theresa of the Child Jesus did, we can compare our forays into spiritual combat with ourselves as an infant learning to walk on her own. At first she may hoist herself up by hanging onto her crib. In the crib she walks around by hanging on. Once she is out onto the floor with nothing to steady her, she crawls then gets up, and soon is down again. Walking is a learned exercise. Who can count all the times that a baby walks a few feet then plops down on her round bottom. Then she rolls over and is up again. Anyone familiar with little kids knows what I mean. How often a baby starts out, falls, and looks up for approval from a grown up. Even if we are not looking up, God is watching our every desire to do good and to be good. In the Biblical Book of Hosea, God says, "It is love that I desire, and not sacrifice." In the same chapter, God assures us, "Even if your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow." We have a loving and forgiving God. May your fourth week of Lent be an exercise in loving and forgiving: first yourself and then the ones near you. Blessed James Alberione offers a short prayer to help us when we feel we haven't "made it" yet in our spiritual life:

By myself, I can do nothing. But with God, I can do sll things. To him honor and glory; to me the eternal reward.

Lenten Check Up

How is your Lent going? Fridays of Lent for us who are Catholic are meant to have a keener focus on Christ. These Fridays are an invitation to check on what we proposed to do, or to avoid as our Lenten practice. Or, our Lenten penance. The purple vestments and altar covers in our churches stand for penance. In the book of Jonah, God spared the people of Nineveh

because they "believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth....When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out."

Sackcloth was scratchy and uncomfortable. It was a penance, a discipline to wear that instead of smoother, lighter clothing. When Jesus spoke about fasting and doing penance, he cautioned people to make it "low key" that is not to show off. God is the one we are doing this work for. "Do not look gloomy like the hypocrites." Wash your faces, be well groomed so you don't look like you are starving! We might put on a modern twist to this advice. Fast, yes. Fast from a critical attitude; fast from too many words; fast from wasting time in scrolling through websites just out of curiosity. If you prefer to go on-line check out one of the religious sites. Our Sisters at www.pauline.org offer reflections, newsletters and prayers to give you a spiritual uplift. Father Robert Barron has a free spiritual guide for every day in Lent. One site that I use everyday is by the Irish Jesuits: Creighton University offers free daily reflections, and even an on-line retreat. http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/cmo-retreat.html The Internet has many free spiritual resources to help us remember God in our daily lives.

These reflections remind us that sin tends to erase our sensitivity to sin. When we gaze at the crucified Christ, we see the price Jesus paid to wash away our sin. Fridays are always a day to recall that the Sacred Heart of Jesus asked for reparation: acts of love to repair or make up for offenses to God. Just as we want to "make up for" having forgotten someone's birthday or anniversary; or we want to apologize and make up for an unwitting verbal barb we may have spoken--so we want to "make up to" or atone for our sins with some form of penance. What ever you chose, may it be done for love of God and with a peace-filled heart. And may he grant you the grace to persevere through the end of Lent. Then when Easter comes we will be more free to accept the Risen Christ into our hearts.

St. Patrick Missionary and Patriarch

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! Our dining room and our work space is well decorated with green, shamrocks, and St. Patrick statues here and there. I was delighted to receive a St.Patrick's Day card even from a friend in Ontario. For some this is a day of excess drinking and rowdiness. Were Patrick here to comment on the less than pious activities done in his name, he may well use his crozier (the staff which bishops use to symbolize their shepherding of Christ's flock)to corral the errant sheep. Patrick, who had once been captured by Irish ruffians who raided Britain, returned to that land after he had a dream. Much like the dream St. Paul had when a man from Macedonia called Paul to "come over to us Macedonians", Patrick could even name the person calling out to him:

I saw a man coming, as it were from Ireland. His name was Victoricus, and he carried many letters, and he gave me one of them. I read the heading: "The Voice of the Irish". As I began the letter, I imagined in that moment that I heard the voice of those very people who were near the wood of Foclut, which is beside the western sea—and they cried out, as with one voice: "We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us." (Courtesy of Wikipedia)

Patrick prayed and prepared himself and was ordained a bishop. Like Paul in his tireless missionary work, Patrick worked hard to bring Christ's message to the people "at the end of the world"--the expression used by Europeans of his day, since the Emerald Isle was the western most corner of their known world. A wimp by no means, Patrick's Letter to Coroticus, a fellow Roman citizen, supposedly a Christian, reveals his rage and sorrow at the soldier's massacre of newly baptized Christians. those who survived were sold as slaves. For me the core of Patrick's teachings is based on the Trinity and adhearance to Jesus Christ. With my best wishes for a very joyous celebration of this great Saint's feast day, I leave you with part of his famous Breastplate:

St Patrick’s Breastplate We wrap round ourselves today the great name of the Trinity, the Three in One, the One in Three, the God who lives eternally. Christ within us, Christ around us, Christ beside us, Christ surround us, Christ behind us, Christ before us, Christ to comfort and restore us. Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger, Christ beneath us, Christ above us, Christ to cherish and to love us.

On the Threshold of the 40 Day Retreat

First of all my apologies for a long hiatus from blogging.One excuse is that I recently changed my address. Now I am part of our Boston community. I have been assigned to Boston often. Now this seems more "permanent." often people have asked me, "Is this a 'permanent' placement? Will you always be here (in whatever city I happened to have been assigned to)?" In the early days of our religious life, the Founder had told us that we should be like the sparrows perched on a branch a;ways ready to fly off to whatever assignment came up. We are still surrounded by a blanket of snow. Old snow, frozen solid. Experience and faith tell us that one day that snow will melt and the green grass will sprout. Winter's icy grip and its stubborn clinging this year are all the more reasons to want to spend a fervent Lenten season. Lent requires more effort, more spiritual energy, more of the heat of the love of God and the love we have for God. One thing that has encouraged me to spend a better Lenten season was seeing the movie the Son of God last week. It is a good movie, and powerful especially in its depiction of Jesus' Passion. The actor who portrays Jesus does well as he becomes intensely serious as he foretells his sufferings to the Apostles. The scenes of Jesus suffering in the last days of his life tell the story of God's love shown to us through Jesus. Although some may criticize the film as "lame" or "not enough" I say no motion picture is "enough" to portray the love of the infinite God. We use finite means to convey an infinite love story. People do their best, but God's grace has to do the rest: to move our hearts to imitate the love Jesus showed on that first Good Friday.

No matter what your Lenten resolve is keep at it. A fourteen year old boy whose cause awaits canonization is Marjorino Viggolungo. He was one of the very first members of the Society of St. Paul founded 100 years ago. Marjorino was convinced that he could be an Apostle by bringing God's Word to life through the printed Word. His motto was "A little (more) every day" for God. That one resolve which he stuck to won him a holy death. The Son of God movie is in theaters in the USA right now. Don't complain about Hollywood. Instead support the good that Hollywood tries to do.

January's High LIght

As I write this thousands are descending on the US Capitol to prepare for tomorrow's March for Life. I don't want to be a "sourpuss" as Pope Francis writes in his latest document, "The Joy of the Gospel" and say, that "As usual, the major media outlets will underplay the numbers of people who march for life." In reality it is close to a

million people, many high school and college students who will sacrifice their time, and pleasure to walk in Washington to demonstrate their love for life in all its stages. This March is not a "Catholic" event alone. During this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity it is a witness to all those men and women who are united in their belief that life is a gift. It is precious and is to be protected by law from the moment of conception until the last breath of the elderly. I will be there in spirit, since our Center remains open and I am helping to staff it. This does not include areas that schedule their own marches, or who go to their own state houses to lobby for life. If you see a 5 second glimpse of crowds of people on the Washington Mall January 22, you will know to multiply that crowd by at least 500 thousand times. Today three of our community of five will participate in a Northern Virginia Arlington Diocese Rally for Life which prepares young people from all over the country to march with purpose tomorrow. On Wednesday morning they will be at the Patriot Center again to join in praise and worship with the young people before the March for Life.

Let us pray for all those attending the March for life: for all the bishops, priests, sisters and religious brohters, and the thousands who brave the bitter cold to stand in solidarity for the gift of life!

End of the Year and Happy New Year

For many years, a New Year’s Eve custom was the singing of the Te Deum a Latin hymn of praise and thanks to God for all the graces of the year which soon to leave us. We each can make our own Litany for all the graces of this past year: for our life, our health, for the opportunities to attend Mass and receive Holy Communion, for the graces of absolution in the sacrament of reconciliation. WE thank God for good friends, for supportive families, for beautiful scenes, for joyfilled entertainment, for good books and movies. I thank God too for the good I received from our friends and relatives who passed into eternal life this year. Two of my sisters, a brother-in-law, and our uncle died in 2013. Each of them left many good examples of generosity, and devotion to their families. We thank god too for negative events which purified us, strengthened us, and taught us--even if we did not "like" them. In the Church, we received a new Pope as we honor Pope Emeritus Benedict. The two Popes together published the encyclical, The Light of Faith. Now Pope Francis has gifted us with his own document: The Joy of the Gospel. It is ready to ship or to pick up at our Pauline books & Media Centers. Happy reading in 2014! 2014 also marks a special anniversary for the Pauline Family: 100 years of existence. The actual anniversary date is August 20. On that date in 1914 Reverend James Alberione gathered two young men into what was called the Typography School in Alba, northern Italy. The School soon became a seminary for the education of the members of the newly born Society of St. Paul. The Society’s aim was to use the press as a means of evangelization. As media blossomed, so the Pauline Society was to adapt each modern means of communication for the gospel message. Happy Anniversary to all Paulines! In the early years of the Pauline foundations, everything was lacking--except faith in God's loving providence. Money was scarce, bills piled up, deadlines loomed waiting to be met. It was then that Father Alberione (now blessed Alberione) together with his assistant, Father Timothy Giaccardo (composed a prayer of confidence in God. It reads more as a "contract" with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is called the Pact or Secret of Success. In my next blog I will provide The Pact.

Hunger for Bread for Body and Soul

 At this noon hour I want to share with all my readers the prayer to end world hunger: Here is the campaign prayer to be prayed at noon on Tuesday, December 10, 2013:

O God, you entrusted to us the fruits of all creation so that we might care for the earth and be nourished with its bounty. You sent us your Son to share our very flesh and blood and to teach us your Law of Love. Through His death and resurrection, we have been formed into one human family. Jesus showed great concern for those who had no food – even transforming five loaves and two fish into a banquet that served five thousand 

and many more.

We come before you, O God, conscious of our faults and failures, but full of hope, to share food with all members in this global family. Through your wisdom, inspire leaders of government and of business, as well as all the world’s citizens, to find just, and charitable solutions to end hunger by assuring that all people enjoy the right to food.

Thus we pray, O God, that when we present ourselves for Divine Judgment, we can proclaim ourselves as “One Human Family” with “Food for All”. AMEN

In our work as Daughters of St. Paul we strive to abolish spiritual hunger too. I remember years ago meeting an elderly Japanese lady who told me, "I just met Jesus Christ." I did not ask her age, but I think she was at least in her 80's. That is when it struck me that there are millions who have never really heard about Jesus. Pope Francis' new Exhortation the Joy of the Gospel tells us how to alleviate that hunger for Jesus that many people have.

Last night in Alexandria, Virginia the Daughters of St. Paul Choir gave an outstanding musical night of evangelism. None of the songs were scolding people nor did they make fun of Santa (After all Santa is truly "Saint" Nicholas, a real man, a real and holy bishop who did give to the poor.) 

Our Choir Traveled Many Miles and Long Hours to Sing in Alexandria VA

There are some "religious" people who refer to the saved and the unsaved. The feast of Christmas which we are about to celebrate on December 25 celebrates the coming of Christ, born of Mary, to save the entire human race. He went on to preach, suffer and rise from the dead to save all. While there is life there is always hope. As long as one's breath clouds a little mirror Jesus is always offering his saving grace. As Francis Thompson wrote, Jesus is truly the Hound of Heaven who pursues souls "Down the nights and down the days, and down the many labyrinthine ways." As the Gospel of Matthew assures us, Jesus is the Good Shepherd who leaves the righteous 99 sheep to find even one wayward sheep. May we pray today to abolish world hunger and to satisfy the hungers of human hearts starving for goodness, beauty and lasting truth.

 

Sister Fey Rocks a Gospel Number at
St. Joseph Church in Alexandria, Virginia

Concert Venue Change Dec. 9, 2013

St. Francis Xavier and Us

This third day of Advent is also the feast of the Jesuit missionary saint, Francis Xavier. Francis was one of the original band of young men who joined the Company of Jesus. They became known world wide as the Jesuits. When Francis was a student with the older man, the ex-soldier, Ignatius of Loyola, he was fun loving, and carefree. Ignatius kept reminding Francis that there was more to life than fun. "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet suffer the loss of his soul?" When Francis finally gave in and turned his life totally over to God, he gave all his talents to the Lord too. Francis sent to India at first where he converted many--it is said hundreds of thousands to Christ. He converted the songs the men at the docks used into musical Bible lessons. He prayed intensely and worked just as intensely. He lived as a poor man among the poor. Then he moved on to Japan. There he dressed as a Japanese in a more elegant and acceptable style. After all he was an ambassador for Christ. Francis lived out St. Paul's words: "I have made myself all things to all people, so as to win some for Christ." Francis wanted to preach to the Chinese, but his strength was consumed and he died off the coast of China. Pope Francis wants us Christians to be evangelizers, to reach out to our neighbors with the gospel message and with our witness.The Daughters of St. Paul publishing house, Pauline Books and Media, will be printing the pope's apostolic exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel. It is expected to be ready by January.
Another way to evangelize our culture is though music. The Daughters of St. Paul on the US east coast begin tonight to sing in concert to prepare folks for a happy Christmas.

See the www.pauline.org web site for locations nearest you. This link provides locations and times: https://www.facebook.com/DSPchoir/events

Have a blessed continuation of this season when we celebrate God's coming to us as a true man, a real human being who loves each of us.

Advent Eve St. Andrew's Day

Today is the Feast of the Apostle St. Andrew. He was the brother of St. Peter. Andrew seems to have had a pleasant personality. He never seemed jealous of his more famous brother Peter. He who was a fisherman became a fisher of men. He was called directly by Jesus to follow him and seek to draw men and women into the net of the Faith. As Pope Francis is exhorting us Christians, we too are called to follow the example of Peter and Andrew, James and John who left their nets to follow the Lord.

St Andrew

A priest friend mentioned this morning how he imagines what the people driving near him on the roads and highways really look like. Then he prays for his fellow motorists. For me riding on public transportation, the transit system, or the Metro as it is called in the DC area, serves up a slice of real life. In the car I can't stop to hear a street person ask for a few coins. I can't hear the roar of the trains pulling in or out of the stations, Nor can I hear the fellow playing a recorder as he leans up against an office building. Neither can I hear the jazz and blues belted out by a sidewalk entertainer playing a keyboard atop enormous speakers at the subway entrance. From the car's windshield I never noticed the policemen in bullet proof vests near the subway entrance. In the comfort of our little van I had forgotten the feel of  squeezing into a subway car and holding on tight as the train lurched forward. At the airport stop, some got off, headed for a higher adventure; their plane trip to work or home. Others from the airport entered the rail car, some looked exhausted, others seemed content. Someone got up (a woman) so I could sit down. I really appreciated the chance to stop swaying. The man seated next to me seemed annoyed and morose. I feel sorry for him. He gave off a joyless vibe. Perhaps he was ill, or had experienced a bad day at work.
Scanning the faces of my fellow passengers I wanted to say "Cheer up! The Lord is near. He loves you. You have reason to smile despite your crosses."  I did not feel quite filled enough with the Holy Spirit to actually say these words: "God bless you! Smile, God loves You!"
After the rush of our current Advent/Christmas season, I highly recommend the Holy Father's new Apostolic Exhortation: Evangelium Gaudium, TheJoy of the Gospel. Our Pauline Books & Media publishing house will publish the new document in January: www.pauline.org. Gospel means good news. Each of us Christians who live our faith are living gospels. For Advent a good resolve to prepare for Christ's coming would be to have a "joy" check up every morning in front of the mirror. Am I smiling or at least serene in my appearance? Away with all crankiness and complaining. Enter peace, self-control and joy.
Have a blessed St. Andrew's Day and a super Advent!

Only 6 More Says!

The Liturgical or Church year ends on Saturday, November 30. Today's Feastr of  Jesus Christ, King of  the Universe is the last Sunday of our liturgical cycle. Advent begins next weekend. Since my last post--about 20 days ago, life and death have intertwined. In my family we enoyed knowing that we had a step-sister, even though we did 

Finish Line

Saints Shakers and Movers

Today, November 4, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Charles Borromeo. At a very young age, in his early 20's, Charles' uncle the Pope appointed him a bishop. 21st century opinion would call his a case of pure nepotism. However God Charles' position to help implement the reforms of the Council of Trent--an ecumenical council which last about 20 years. Trent was the council summoned to answer the Protestant Reformation. That Council clarified many issues. spread his new religion using a catechism. Trent issued the Roman Catechism to educate Catholics to the basics of the faith. Luther and other reformers pointed out the failings of many of the clergy and other church officials. To remedy the situation, the council fathers mandated  a more systematic training of future priests: seminaries. Charles Borromeo was especially expert at setting up these centers of priestly formation where men were trained in academic and spiritual subjects. It was important to have clerics steeped in learning to help their parishioners. The seminary fostered growth in the spiritual and ascetical life, with its discipline and prayer, both communal and private. There young men  learned to live more gospel centered, prayerful lives. One of those seminaries, that of the Diocese of Alba, in Italy's Piedmont was instrumental in the forming of our Founder, Blessed James Alberione. When one visits the chapel at the Alba seminary, the influence of St. Charles Borromeo is very evident.

St Charles Borromeo

St. Charles worked and prayed hard for his own Diocese of Milan. He lived from 1538 to 1584--a time of great turmoil in Europe. One of the reforms of the Council of Trent was that of making sure a bishop resided in his own diocese. When Carlo (his Italian name) arrived in Milan the church was reeling from the lack of leadership and organization. With prayer and great tact he set about reforming the clergy and the church in general in that huge northern Italian see. There were some who resented his efforts and even tried to kill him. The Lord spared him from a violent death. He died in Milan and was proclaimed a saint only 26 years after his death.
In the 20th century Milan was a huge industrial city. Immigrants from southern Italy came to work in the auto industry and other related factories. Italy's Communist Party was making headway among factory workers.
A priest who had worked with college students during the time of the Fascists was singled out to work in the Vatican. Giovanni Battista Montini preferred to work with the people and with the ordinary laity. Yet Montini

Pope Paul VI

was eventually appointed Archbishop then Cardinal of Milan.Cardinal Montini went to the factories to bless the machinery and to talk to his flock. He even donned a hard hat at least once to evangelize the men and women who had begun to drift away from the faith, I am sure that Montini, who became Pope Paul VI, learned much from his predecessor Carlo Borromeo. I saw Paul VI when he came to New York City to address the UN and beg for peace. Then I saw him up close in Rome. May he rest in peace with the Lord he served so well. Paul VI traveled outside of the Vatican several times. He was the first Pope in hundreds of years to embrace a Greek Orthodox Patriarch, Athenagoras. Like his predecessor who brought the reforms of the Council of Trent into the real world, so Paul VI did for the renewal called for by the Vatican II Council. He carried the cross of his Pontificate with grace and humility. May he intercede for our bishops, and our Pope Francis.  

Saints, Sinners, and Memories

November slipped in with the Feast of All Saints on Friday, and of All Souls on Saturday. Saints with the capitol "S" and many, many more with the small "s". When I lived in Hawaii a priest at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace would begin his daily homily like this: "My dear saints." That was always a good pick-me-up, a great way to feel affirmed as we began our day with a very early Mass. Two of our Sisters attended a beautiful wedding on All Souls Day. The groom told the guests at the reception that he and his wife were going to help one another to become saints. What a blessed way to begin their life together, declaring their resolve to become saints by helping one another throughout their lives. Everyone is made to be a saint. Life has built-in aids to sainthood. Another name for these aids is a cross. By taking up the daily duties we have: those we like, and those which annoy us, we travel a bit closer to the goal of sanctity.
Saints are not "born" with halos. God's continuous gift of his grace and effort to accept and bear our crosses help to become daily, saints in the trenches. Or, should I say saints-in-the-pews!
I hope to write more about this month packed with feast days both religious and civil.
Have a blessed week, and be happy saints!

Taking a Good Look

Last weekend was gray and rainy as far as the weather went. Yet it was very pleasant for me. I enjoyed being at a vibrant parish in Maryland, Davidsonville. Sister Maria Elizabeth and Sister Theresa, a novice, formed the rest of our three-some of Daughters of St. Paul. Sister Theresa gave an awesome talk on what is Lectio Divina and just how to do it. Sister gave her presentation complete with appropriate Power Point slides to re-enforce what she as explaining. On Saturday evening, folks were treated to a wine and cheese repast as hey browsed our book displays and then settled down to hear Sister Theresa.
Many of our books, DVD's and music CD's found new homes near the Maryland shore. We Sisters pray that the content of the books will help to draw their readers ever closer to Jesus, the One who we all want to imitate.

Sr. Maria Elizabeth, Beverly and her grandson John,
and myself Sister Mary Peter in Davidsonville, MD.

Like Lydia did when she met Paul, these people took the time to listen to what we had to say and bring home many good books especially for children.

Presently our Sisters in Boston are hosting a WEBATHON on line to cover some basic financial needs for our publishing house. Click on www.pauline.org to see how you can help.. 

Faith, Our Light

Pope Francis' first encyclical letter, Lumen Fidei, The Light of Faith offers much wisdom for living our faith. To unpack all the wisdom in the Pope's writing, gifted authors open the door of faith to allow more of that spiritual light to shine on our souls. Father Scott Hurd, a Virginia based Catholic priest, is one of those gifted writers. Father Scott Hurd's newest book, "When Faith Feels Fragile", delves into the times in our lives when grief, poor health, spiritual dryness or any manner of tempest rattles our soul.  Father spoke at our Alexandria, Virginia book and media center last Thursday evening. Comparing our life of faith to a marriage, he explained that many people are looking for that first love, the first fervor, the honeymoon feeling between themselves and God. Feelings do come, but they also go.Father was describing

how some cannot rest until they retrieve a bit of the "spiritual high" they felt when they began to pray more seriously. Faith is more than a feeling. The virtue is a gift of God to each of the baptized. It is also like a muscle to be exercised every day. I recommend reading Father Hurd's latest offering. He began his ministry as an Episcopalian married priest. Several years ago he entered the Roman Catholic Church. He works especially in the Archdiocese of Washington, DC. His book is available from Pauline books & Media, Pauline Books & Media

Monday was the Feast of the Holy Rosary. The Feast commemorated the victory of Christians led by Don Juan of Austria at the port of Lepanto in 1571. A large Christian fleet was challenged by an invading fleet of fast ships and skilled warriors. Pope Pius V had asked all of Christendom to pray the rosary for victory. Defeat would have meant slavery, death, forced conversions, as well as loss of property. Christianity or die. There were no speedy communications systems to alert the Pope as to who won. Yet the day of the battle, in the midst of a meeting, he paused and said, "Let us thank God for the victory of today." He seemed to have had a vision of what really happened. Out of 300 ships, only 40 enemy ships returned.
That battle was over 400 years ago. There are daily spiritual battles in each one's lives. There are also more dramatic events when individuals came through victorious because of their devotion to praying the rosary. If you have not read it yet, read the story of  Immaculee Illigabiza, a Rwandan survivor of that country's genocide. She and a small group of women lived through days of hiding from the horror around them. Immaculee testified that she prayed the rosary constantly for herself and for all around her. Now she speaks in defense of forgiveness and reconciliation.

In the early part of the 20th century Mary appeared in Fatima, Portugal to ask people to pray the rosary, to

do penance, to lead better Christian lives. I know in my own life, the rosary has helped me in many ways. It roots me in the gospel by reminding me of what Mary and Jesus did for us. When I take a daily walk, I pray the rosary as I go along the streets. The rosary keeps me focused and less distracted. May we all spend the rest of this month of October growing in faith and in prayer with our rosary in hand.